State Partial Sales Tax Credit: Maine law pursuant to MRSA 36, sections 1752 and 1760-79 allows a partial sales tax credit of approximately $500 for hybrid cars that do not have a comparable vehicle model, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. It allows a credit of approximately $300 for cars that have a comparable gasoline-powered model, such as the hybrid Honda Civic. For more information, contact Lynne Cayting of the Department of Environmental Protection at (207) 287-7599, or via email at [email protected]. For information about the tax exemption for hybrid electric vehicles, visit www.maineenvironment.org/energy/TaxCredit.htm. Download form at http://www.state.me.us/revenue/forms/sales/str46a.pdf.
Hybrid Sales Tax Credit (bill): LD 305 (H.B. 275 and S.B. 95) would exempt from the sales tax 100% of the sale or lease price of a new hybrid gasoline-electric, fuel-cell, or hydrogen fueled vehicle. This bill also places a 5% surcharge on the purchase or lease for more than one year of a vehicle that does not attain at least 27.5 miles per gallon, as found in the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy, CAFE, standards. The surcharge does not apply to commercial motor vehicles. Introduced 1/19/2005. Carried over to 122nd session of the House and Senate on 6/18/05.
State Sales Tax and Excise Tax Exemption (bill): LD 778 (H.B. 555) would exempt new hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles or fuel-cell-hydrogen-fueled vehicles from 100% of the sales tax of the sale or lease price. This bill also exempts the excise tax due on the vehicle for the first 3 model years. After the first 3 years, the rate of excise tax is the same as on other motor vehicles of the same age. Died in Senate taxation committee 3/22/05.